Driver in fatal crash with fire truck arrested

Authorities said he was impaired in the June 20 crash that killed a woman, 19.

In this file photo, a Honda Accord came to rest on the southeast corner after colliding with the fire truck on the sidewalk to the east at the intersection of Poway and Midland roads on June 20.
Honda passenger Evelyn Courtney, 19, was killed. On Thursday, deputies arrested the Honda driver, Robbie Gillespie, on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving while impaired during the crash.
— John Gibbins

In this file photo, a Honda Accord came to rest on the southeast corner after colliding with the fire truck on the sidewalk to the east at the intersection of Poway and Midland roads on June 20.
Honda passenger Evelyn Courtney, 19, was killed. On Thursday, deputies arrested the Honda driver, Robbie Gillespie, on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving while impaired during the crash.
— John Gibbins

A 44-year-old motorist whose car collided with a Poway fire engine in June, killing his passenger, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Deputies arrested Robbie Gillespie about 2:30 p.m. at his home on Alta Carmel Court near Avenida Venusto, the Sheriff’s Department said.

The Rancho Bernardo man also was arrested on suspicion of causing injury while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and committing a crime while out on bail, sheriff’s officials said.

Gillespie was behind the wheel of a Honda Accord about 4 a.m. June 20 when a fire engine headed to a medical emergency slammed into the Honda’s passenger side.

The fire engine, which had its overhead lights flashing, was going through the intersection of Poway and Midlands roads on a green light, authorities said.

Gillespie’s passenger, Evelyn Jean Courtney, 19, of Poway, died at the scene.

Gillespie suffered injuries, and was taken to a hospital. The three firefighters in their rig were not injured.

Investigators found an open bottle of alcohol in the Honda.

Gillespie had been released from jail hours before the crash. Authorities said a drug investigation led them to a Poway hotel on the afternoon of June 19. Gillespie, two women and a man were arrested there, and drugs were seized.

Courtney was not one of the women arrested with Gillespie. Acquaintances said she had attended Poway and Mount Carmel high schools, had done some modeling and planned to go to college.